Trump administration revokes 6 visas over comments about Charlie Kirk
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A memorial service for political activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, in September. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
The State Department said Tuesday it revoked the visas of six non-U.S. citizens who "celebrated the heinous assassination" of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk.
The big picture: The move reflects the Trump administration's increasingly aggressive policy of canceling visas for speech it views as endorsing "political violence."
Driving the news: "The United States has no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans," the Department of State said on X Tuesday evening.
- "Aliens who take advantage of America's hospitality while celebrating the assassination of our citizens will be removed," it added.
Zoom in: While the State Department did not immediately disclose the identities of the six people whose visas it revoked, it cited examples of their online comments and their nationalities.
- A Mexican national said that Kirk "died being a racist, he died being a misogynist" and stated that "there are people who deserve to die," the department wrote in one post. "Visa revoked."
- The individuals' countries of origin include Argentina, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Germany and Paraguay.
Flashback: Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in September that visa revocations were "under way" for people who praised Kirk's death.
- The Trump administration began re-screening all U.S. visa holders for possible deportation flags back in August, including those tied to pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses.
What they're saying: "You can't defend "our culture" by eroding the very cornerstone of what America stands for: freedom of speech and thought," said Conor Fitzpatrick, attorney at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), which is suing the Trump administration to challenge the provisions that Rubio is using to deport individuals for their speech alone.
- "The Trump administration must stop punishing people for their opinions alone," Fitzpatrick added. "The Supreme Court has been clear that noncitizens have a right to freedom of speech."
- Representatives for the State Department did not immediately respond to Axios' Tuesday evening request for comment.
More from Axios:
- Charlie Kirk posthumously awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
- Trump proclaims Oct. 14 national day of remembrance for Charlie Kirk
Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from FIRE attorney Conor Fitzpatrick.
